Method of making bag structure



June 15, 1965 A. a. MOJONNIER 3,188,925

METHOD OF MAKING BAG STRUCTURE Original Filed Nov. 8. 1961 2Sheets-Sheet 1 mmvron 4455/27- 5. MOJOA/A/IEZ 2% QM L Arron/5Y5 June 15,1965 A. B. MOJONNIER 3,188,925

METHOD OF MAKING BAG STRUCTURE Original Filed Nov. 8. 1961 2Sheets-Sheet 2 (F/XED) INV EN TOR. 14L 55/2775. MOJOA/A/IEE fimii, u u 44v Mas Arrow/5Y5 United States Patent Office 3,188,925 Patented June 15,1965 3,188,925 METHQD OF MAKING BAG STRIHITURE Albertli. Moionnier, 5357N. East River Road, tChicago, Ill.

Original application Nov. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 151,060. Divided and thisapplication Get. 24, 1962, Ser. No. 232,907

3 Claims. (Cl. 9335) This invention relates to a method of manufacturingbags and the like having opening and closing means of the tin-tie typeand is a division of my application for Patent Serial No. 151,060, filedNovember 8, 1961, noW abandoned.

This invention also has reference to bags of the described typeparticularly adapted for use in the dairy industry for holding milksamples preparatory to making laboratory tests of the milk.

Heretofore bags of this type have been objectionable either because theyfailed to promote the desired sanitation in their use or because of highcost of manufacture. I 'The primary object of this invention is toprovide an improved method of manufacturing bags of thi kind which willmeet the desired sanitation requirements and which may be manufacturedat a comparatively low cost.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by thoseskilled in this art as the invention becomes better understood byreference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

, FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a bag structure of the kindmanufactured by a method embodying my invention, showing an end strippartly torn oif;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag, opened;

FIG. 3 is enlarged top view of the opened bag;

, FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail section taken on the section line 4-4 ofFIG. 1;

7 ,FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus employing a method ofmaking said bag according to my invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing successive steps in the method,described hereinafter; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing assembly of the tapes and bag. Myinvention is applied in the manufacture of a bag structure characterizedby an improved opening and closing means having pull tabs formedintegrally with deformable trips which in one form or another aretypical of the so-called tin-tie type of fastening. In a preferredembodiment of the invention I form these pull tabs as a part of theadhesive strips which are applied to opposite sides of the bag. And byforming the pull tabs the entire width of the adhesive strips I obtaincomparatively large projecting tabs, each of which may be easily graspedbetween a thumb and finger and pulled in opposite directions to open thebag.

My invention also contemplates a novel method of making these pull tabsin a sequence of simple operations which promote accuracy and low costof manufacture. This method, as described more fully hereinafter,involves the conception of using an air blast and a die structure suchas coacting jaws functioning automatically whereby the air blast actsagainst the adhesive side of the tape to bulge the tape into an areabetween the jaws and whereby these jaws or forming dies may be closedagainst the non-adhesive side of the tape to bring the adhesive sides ofthe bulged portion into contact and form a pull tab having non-adhesivesides projecting from the non-adhesive side of the strip.

Referring to the drawings, the bag designated generally by referencenumeral 11 may be of any size and 'material suitable for the use towhich the bag or receptacle is intended. For holding liquid such as milkI use a plastic film such as polyethylene. In this particular use thebag is of normally flat tubular form. It is closed at all edges andperforated along a line 12 to permit tearing off an end strip 13preparatory to opening the bag. With this construction the bag is madesterile and the end strip may be torn off as indicated in part in FIG.1, whereupon the tabs 14 and 15 may be pulled apart to open the bag asshown in FIG. 2. This construction permits opening the bag withoutputting fingers into the bag or otherwise contaminating the interior ofthe bag. The attendant may then hold the open bag by grasping one or theother end tabs 16-17 with one hand or supporting the bag with these tabsresting on spread fingers of such hand. With the other hand theattendant may use a suitable dipper for picking up a small sample ofmilk and pouring it into the mouth of the open bag. The bag may then beclosed by pulling in opposite directions the tabs 16-17, folding over anumber of times the entire fastening on the bag, and folding in the endtabs 16-17 to lock the bag closed, as is well known in this art.

In this embodiment a strip of adhesive tape is applied to each side ofthe bag, as strips 19 and 20. To one side only of the bag i applied astrip 21 of deformable material, preferably of ductile metal or theequivalent, which will retain the shape to which it is bent. The strip21 extends to the ends of the tabs 16-17. In this form the strip 21 isapplied beneath the adhesive strip 19 and the latter holds the strip 21in position because it is of greater width and its marginal edgeportions are adhered by the adhesive to the outer face of the bag.Similarly, the adhesive strips are united at the end tabs 16-17.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 8, I have shown somewhat diagrammatically anapparatus for automatically assembling the described bag from units suchas a bag 11, strips of adhesive tape 19-29, and a strip of ductile metal21. A strip such as 21 may, however, be used with each adhesive tape,although in practice I find that application of a strip 21 to one sideonly serves the purpose when the bag is used for sampling milk. Thisapparatus provides for continuous manufacture, that is, step by stepoperations automatically controlled and in proper sequence to produce insuccessionthe desired bags.

The adhesive tape 19 is taken from a roll 22, the tape 2% from acorresponding roll, and the metal strip 21' from a roll 24-. The tape 19passes across a pair of forming dies such as a fixed jaw 25 and amovable jaw 26, then around a first guide roller 27 (where the metalstrip 21 is joined with the tape), then around a second guide roller 28,and then to an assembly station shown in FIG. 8. The metal strip 21passes from the roll 24 around suitable guide rollers 29-30 and thenceto the adhesive side of the tape 19, whereby the two strips are unitedand move as a single strip to the assembly station where this strip isapplied to a bag. The roll 22 and the movable jaw 26 are operated intimed sequence in conjunction with an air nozzle at 31 to produce asuccession of pull tabs 14 at spaced intervals. Suitable mechanisms maybe provided for this purpose. In the present embodiment the mechanism isused in conjunction with a machine of the punch press type (not shown)having a reciprocating ram or plunger which usually operates dies orother parts in the performance of a given job operation. Here a rodlikemember 32 is reciprocated in a vertical plane by operation of the punchpress ram. The member 32 connects through a pin 33 and slow 34- to asupport lever 35. which carries the roll 22 and is fulcrumed at a fixedpoint 36. Lever 35 is adapted to contact a fixed pin 37 for a purposepresently described. An arm 33 is pivotally connected at 39 to the upperjaw 26 and. at 4% to a spring loaded link 41. The link 41 is pivotedintermediate its upper, open position.

ends at a fixed point 42; and a nected tothe short end of the linkyielding urges the'link to turn in'a counterclockwisedirection aroundits pivot point 42 until limited by contact of its lateral projectiont-against the top 'of the arm v31$. Thefarm 38 is ar contractile spring43 con to operate the described apparatus in successive operations suchas the successive downward and upward strokes ranged to. contact a fixedpin 45 and to be contacted by'a pin 46 on .the member 32, as willb'efpresently described The jaw 26,is suitably guided f-or'verticalmovement with relation to the fixed jaw 25 by meansof guide pins 47. Anexpansion spring? 48 urges the movable jaw'to its The operation is as toa position such as showndotted at 49'determined by the support striking25-26 are open and a blast of air from the nozzle 31 is tape 19, forcingthe V jaws, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 5. .This operationbrings into the open jaws a length of tape sufiicient to form a pulltab, it being observed that there are side portionsjtothisbulged-in'tape portion, that the air blast operates against theadhesive inner side the non-adhesive side is engaged against thefaces ofthe 7 follows: Upon downward movements of the member 32 the support 35lowersthe tape roll 22 r the fixed pin 37. I This produces a slack inthe tape between the points Aiand B. At this, point the jaws thereof,and that of a punch press plunger, that-the apparatus will be connectedto function in timed relation with such punch press operation, and thatthe bag-swillbe completed in succession, oneat each such operation;This, however, is a 7 preferred assembly whichpromotes economy in costof manufacture of the bags, but it should be understood that m inventionis not limited to operation by a punch press. Instead, any suitablemechanism may be employed to operate the parts in the timed relationdescribed.

It should also be understood that theterm bag is used to denoteanyreceptacle to whichtheItin-tie' type .of

opening and closing means is adapted, also that such bag receptacles areadapted for uses other than holding milk 7 samples. They may be used forholdingor packaging directed against'the adhesive side of the slack tapeinto the area betweengthe' many other liquids, commodities,'andarticles.

, It. will be apparent, therefore, that changes may be made indetails ofthe bag structure and'in the steps or sequence of operationwith respectto, the method without departing from the spirit'and scopeof theinvention as set forth in the appended claims; in which Ilclaim; Y

v 1. A method of makingabag having opening andclosjaws which servein'eifect asfo'rmi ng dies. Uponfurther downward movement of the member32 the pin 46 strikes 7 the arm 38 and lowersit to'the position shownin'FIGQ 6,

ing ,meansof the tin-tietyp'e, including passing an adhesive tape to atab-forming station having open tabforming jaws, the strip having an'adhesive side and a non-adhesive side causing a[slack in the tape atsaid thereby forcing'the jaw 26 down and squeezing the interposed sideportions of the-tape between the jaws and into adhesive contact, therebyforming a pull tab 14;" Upon further downward movement of the member 32the-pin 46 moves the arm 38 in'a'clockwi'se direction about the V, fixedpin45, thereby opening-the jaws, as shown 'in' FIG;

7. With the tab 14 thus released the tap'e 19 will'be advancedautomaticallyby suitable means and made ready station, j means actingagainst the adhesive side of the tape to deflect a portion of the tapeinto thearea between eaid jaws with the non-adhesiveside against thejaws, closing the jaws topress together into adhesive contact saiddeflected portion of the tape, thereby forming a pull tab extending fromthe non-adhesive side of the tape,

for the next'succee'ding operation, that is, arepe'tition of. a 2

l the sequence just described; p i

' Apparatus similar to that described is jappliedto the 7 lower tape'20except that, in this embodiment, a metal strip similar to 21 is omitted;The upper and lower apparatus may be connected in timed relation bylinks 52-51 and a rocker arm 52. Thus, the lowertapeztl with'its I 7tabs 15 is guided by suitable meanslsuch as'rollers 27 -28 into parallelrelation with the combined tape 19, and metal strip 21, as shown in FIG;5. The top and bottom tapes are thusguided to the above-mentionedassembly station: illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 8; Here the bag11 is interposed between the tapes in the relationship shown in FIG. 1,that is, with'the tapes adjacent to the mouth etlect adhesion of thetapes tothe bag andadhesion-of the'end tabs. The plunger headwill beoperated insy nchronism with the member 3-2 so that at each operation abag is completed. At the same time a completed bag 55 will'be cut off bysuitable cutting means not shown."

From the foregoing it will be observed that upon each downward stroke ofmember 32 a given length ofadhesive.v tape 19 is provided at thetab-forming station, a tab is 7 formed by closing the jaws 25-26, andthe jaws are opened render the bag; At this station aplunger head 53will" be pressed down, forcing the interposed tapesand bag" togetheragainst a fixedbase 54 with sufiicient pressure to. I v v to releasethetab. Following the downstroke ofmem-;

ber 32 the adhesive tape is advanced, thus withdrawing the tab frombetween thei'forming jaws and advancing it' In this embodiment theseveral steps to theassembly station.

to the .bagassembly station.

tape is advanced These functions take place rapidly in conjunction withapplyingtthe air blast, thus promoting economy in cost of manufacturer 1c It will be understoodthat suitable means will be used moving'the tapeto position its tabportion at an assembly station withi the vadhesiveside. of the tape facing a bag positioned vat said "assembly v stationin, parallel relation with: said'tab portion of the tape, and causingsaid tab iportion'o-f the tape to be pressed into adhesive contact withthe bag at said assembly station. I

p 2. A method as set, forth in claim 1,;inclu'ding' feeding a strip ofductile metal into adhesive union witli the adhesive side'of thefirstmentioned strip after atab has been. formed thereon, causing saidductile meta-l strip to be advanced with the adhesive strip'to, saidassembly station, passing a second adhesivestrip across a tab-formingstation and forming a pull tabon such strip in the manner described withreference to the first mentioned adhesive'tape, movingthe, secondadhesiveetape to an assembly position-with its tabport-ion, at the sideof the bag opposite from the .firs'tmentioned adhesive tape and with,its'adhesive side facing the. bag, and causing the, secondadhesivetmember to be'p ressedinto adhesive contact with thebag at thetime theIfirst mentioned adhesive tape is sopressed. e e

. 3. A method as setfoi'th in claim 2 .in which the describedldeflectiono-fthe tape is eifected by an air blast acting againstthe adhesivesideof said tape.

7 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANK E BAlLEY,Primary Examiner.

1. A METHOD OF MAKING A BAG HAVING OPENING AND CLOSING MEANS OF THE TIN-TIE TYPE, INCLUDING PASSING AN ADHESIVE TYPE OF A TAB-FORMING STATION HAVING OPEN TABFORMING JAWS, THE STRIP HAVING AN ADHESIVE SIDE AND A NON-ADHESIVE SIDE, CAUSING A SLACK IN THE TAPE AT SAID STATION, MEANS ACTING AGAINST THE ADHESIVE SIDE OF THE TAPE TO DEFLECT A PORTION OF THE TAPE INTO THE AREA BETWEEN SAID JAWS WITH THE NON-ADHESIVE SIDE AGAINST THE JAWS, CLOSING THE JAWS TO PRESS TOGETHER INTO ADHESIVE CONTACT SAID DEFLECTED PORTION OF THE TAPE, THEREBY FORMING A PULL TAB EXTENDING FROM THE NON-ADHESIVE SIDE OF THE TAPE, MOVING THE TAPE TO POSITION ITS TAP PORTION AT AN ASSEMBLY STATION WITH THE ADHESIVE SIDE OF THE TAPE FACING A BAG POSITIONED AT SAID ASSEMBLY STATION IN PARALLEL RELATION WITH SAID TAB PORTION OF THE TAPE, AND CAUSING SAID TAB PORTION OF THE TAPE TO BE PRESSED INTO ADHESIVE CONTACT WITH THE BAG AT SAID ASSEMBLY STATION. 